Ask anyone what comes to mind when you mention the word ‘accounting’ to them and you’ll invariably get the same words time and again as a response: dependable, solid and probably even boring. Thankfully, the image of the grey suited accountant is something of a clich in a world where accounting and tax services have moved on in recent years. It’s actually a much more interesting career choice than many realise, and one that can provide not only interesting opportunities but also plenty of financial incentives too.

Gaining access to high quality training

Whether you’re a graduate who’s looking for a change or someone who never attended university but wants a challenge in their work, as long as you have a decent understanding of maths you could be the kind of person that accountancy needs. Many people enter the job after completing a degree in maths but there’s also the option to study directly with the Institute of Chartered Accountants. It’s far from an easy path, though; it’s a constant parade of work, both theoretical and practical, as well as plenty of exams to sit.

For many firms in the UK, accountant training is something that’s done onsite while you work for a company. Often you’ll find that they’ll be willing to pay for your training with the caveat that you will stay with the company following your qualification for a set amount of time. However, once you have fought your way through your studies and have been declared a fully qualified chartered accountant, you’ll soon find that your services will be in high demand.

The freedom to work how you want to

You will generally discover that there are two ways to practice as an accountant; many choose to work for a large company as part of their accountancy department, working day-to-day with colleagues to keep on top of the finances. Others prefer to become a member of an accountancy firm where smaller companies come to you in order to get advice on their taxes and other questions. Whichever environment you work in, you will soon see that no two days are ever the same.

After all that hard work you will want to be well paid for your efforts and you may be shocked to find just how good the pay is as even an entry-level accountant – you can always chat to an accountant firsthand to find out their experiences. As the old image is being shrugged off, so are the low wages; as an important part of any major business, a financial analyst can end up taking home a salary of over 200k a year. Don’t expect that kind of pay immediately, of course, but it’s certainly attainable for those who perform well and reach for the heights.